Fuel Up Friday: "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

Please. Don't tell Sean. He will not be amused that we have shared this recipe.

It's cold, gloomy and grey outside. And we crave carbs. Comforting, warm, starchy carbs. This is my go-to comfort food for the fall/winter months. I make a crock pot FULL every other week and freeze half for a meal for us, and the other gets put in the fridge for lunches. My family is often standing drooling by the crock pot as it nears readiness. You can play around with the vegetables/spices according to your taste, but we make it pretty much as the recipe states because it is just that good all on it's own. Enjoy this healthy, hearty meal in a pot!

Annie's Souper Soupie Soup Soup (or Chicken Noodle Soup in the crockpot)

Prep time : 15 minutes
Total time :7 hours
Portion size 8

Ingredients:
2 onions, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 sweet potatoes, (about 1-1/4 lb/565 g total), peeled and chopped (Sean hates sweet potatoes - we use regular potatoes here )
2 slices fresh ginger
1 tsp (5 mL) salt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
6 bone-in chicken thighs, (about 2 lb/900 g total)
3-1/2cups(875 mL) Chicken Stock (I've used low sodium store bought & homemade chicken or turkey)
3cups(750 mL) water
3 cups (750 mL) sliced stemmed kale (we've done with or without kale, both are great)
2 cups (500 mL) curly egg noodles (egg noodles really are the BEST for this recipe)
1/2 cup (125 mL) frozen peas

Preparation
In slow cooker, combine onions, celery, carrots, sweet potatoes, ginger, salt and pepper. Arrange chicken over vegetables. Pour in stock and water.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Transfer chicken to bowl. Stir kale, noodles and peas into soup. Cover and cook on high until noodles are tender, about 30 minutes. Keep the husband away as the smell at this point is delish.

Meanwhile, remove and discard skin, bones and fat from chicken. Shred or chop chicken and return to soup.

This soup freezes well, and is super great for lunch or paired with a slice of fresh bread and a fresh salad for dinner. Filled with loads of nutrient rich foods like kale, sweet potato, ginger and chicken stock, it is as nutritious as it is tasty!

And remember - don't tell Sean I spilled the beans on his favourite meal! Hope you enjoy as much as he does.

Find Your CORE.

all credit for this amazing recipe goes to www.canadianliving.com - Amanda Barnier and The Test Kitchen